Treated Pine Chemicals

The most common method of treatment in Australia is still CCA, other methods are often used, particularly LOSP and ACQ/Copper Azole. Your order from The Log Factory may include both LOSP, CCA and even ACQ/Copper Azole Treated Pine. Ensure that you correctly identify your treated pine for painting, over-coating or gluing, and then refer to our Painting and Maintenance pages for more information.

It is important to remember that most LOSP Treated Pine must be painted or oiled to ensure your guarantee. To find out what type of Treated pine you have been delivered please refer to Identifying Treated Timber

CCA Treatment

Chromated Copper Arsenate (H1 – H5)

The much discussed treatment type containing Arsenic. Whilst it is being phased out around the world & throughout Australia it has long being considered a safe and cheap treatment method for all treated pine. Although it was scientifically found to be carcinogenic it is still the preferred choice for most builders. Its mild carcinogenic properties are easily avoided with proper handling. From March 2006 it will no longer be able to be used in decking, handrails or playground equipment. A fairly impartial overview of of the CCA product with regards to gardening and vegetables can be read here.

There are a few producers of CCA chemical in the world, essentially they are all use the same ingredients being Copper oxide, Chromium trioxide, Arsenic acid and water. Here is the brochure for Osmose Lifewood CCA Treated Pine.

LOSP Treatment

Light Organic Solvent Protection (H1 – H3)

This was becoming the Arsenic Free substitute for CCA products, however it is generally more expensive and far less effective. Most LOSP treated pine must be painted to maintain its warranty (which is half as long as CCA). Without painting LOSP treated timbers may only last a few years) A report by the Australian Government highlights the possible failure problems associated with the some types of LOSP treated pine.

Again, the LOSP chemical is popular and widely available as a treatment solution. Due to the fact the New Zealand government recognized its failures early on, there have been some changes (albeit confusing).

Osmose LOSP is called Protim and must be painted over. Its ingredients are Kerosene, Tributyltin naphthenate, Dichlofluanide and Permethrin. Koppers (Arch / Lonza) LOSP is called Vacsol Azure and may not require over painting, however please contact Koppers for clarification. It is a newer chemical treatment and ingredients include tebuconazole, propiconazole, Permethrin, and white spirit (more refined than kerosine).

NB: The exact type of LOSP treatment will determine its lifespan, and if it has to be painted over. Always request from your supplier written details of painting requirements for any LOSP products. Additionally, due to the solvents in LOSP products they are generally less fire resistant than CCA or ACQ treated pine

ACQ Treatmentor

Copper Azole

Ammoniacal Copper Quaternary (H1 – H5)

or

Copper azole (CuAz) (H1-H5)

This will be the alternative to ARSENIC FREE treated pine. It is considered a very safe and very effective product with no risk to humans. At the moment it is approximately 25% more expensive than the CCA, additionally it is a little difficult to source, and as such is not very popular. We do not yet stock many ACQ products (except for Sleepers available ex-yard only).The Osmose company produces an ACQ product called NatureWood. Its ingredients include Copper, Didecyldimethylammonium chloride and waterKoppers produce a similar product with Copper Azole called Tanalised E or Ecowood (also known as Tan E). Its listed ingredients include Copper, Tebuconazole and water